Vigil held on Stonington pier for missing fishermen on Foxy Lady II

STONINGTON, Maine — About 50 people gathered Monday night on the town pier at a candlelight vigil for the missing captain and crewman of the Foxy Lady II, according to the minister of the local United Methodist Church.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday that it is searching for the missing 50-year-old crewman and 26-year-old captain aboard the 45-foot fishing vessel.

The names of the missing men have not been released.

The Foxy Lady II was homeported in Gloucester, Mass, according to a press release issued by the Coast Guard. The boat’s last known location was approximately 15 miles north of Provincetown, Mass., the Coast Guard said.

The men aboard live on Deer Isle, but fish off the coast of Massachusetts part of the season, the Rev. Stephen York, pastor of the Stonington United Methodist Church said Monday night after the vigil.

The Foxy Lady II did not return home to Stonington on Saturday night as expected, York said in a telephone interview. Using Facebook, email and other social networking tools the minister asked people to gather at the town pier at 8 p.m. or to light candles in their homes.

“About 50 people spontaneously gathered in a circle on the town pier,” he said. “We lit candles, recited the 23rd Psalm, said the Lord’s Prayer, sang ‘Amazing Grace’ and had a moment of silent meditation.”

York said the missing men are not members of his congregation.

“This is an island,” the minister said. “We come together whether we go to church or not.”

Correction:A previous version of this story listed the captain's age as 50 and the crewman's age as 25. The captain's actual age is 26, and the crewman is 50.